Rensselaer County Legislator wants cable company probe

TROY -- A Rensselaer County legislator is calling on the state Public Service Commission to investigate Time Warner for charging customers $3.95 a month to use the company's modem.

"This is outrageous and amounts to gouging of customers by Time Warner. The state Public Service Commission should take action to stop this unnecessary and expensive charge," said Stammel.

Last month, Time Warner announced it would begin charging the fee for modems, which in many cases, have been installed in customer homes and offices for years.

There are t least two nationwide, class action lawsuit filed against the cable giant that basically claim the additional fees violate the contract the company had with its customers.

Stammel said the charge is particularly unfair because many seniors and working families are staying closer to home during the long economic recession.

"Time Warner is hitting many customers when they can least afford it," he said. "Many are relying on home entertainment during the ongoing recession and this charge will be particularly expensive over time for working families, seniors and others struggling to make ends meet."

He said the while the lawsuits are pending the state PSC or a related agency can take more immediate action to cancel the charge.